Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects the serous linings of various internal organs in the human body. Among them, the lungs, heart and the stomach are widely affected.
It is estimated that each year 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. The patients suffering from this cancerous disease have prior exposure to asbestos, which is considered to be the only known cause of mesothelioma. Mesotheliomic patients are often told of their short survival duration of 6 - 12 months, but doctors specialized in treating malignant mesothelioma at leading cancer centers expect more. Though mesothelioma causes immense pain and suffering to the victim, along with short life expectancy, certain treatments have resulted in the successful reduction and removal of the cancerous tumors of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
In this article, we will elaborate on the significant treatments available to patients suffering from the asbestos- related cancer (mesothelioma). Please be advised that only a professional doctor specializing in cancer can diagnose mesothelioma. It is recommended for patients suffering from the symptoms of mesothelioma, to consult a cancer specialist for a possible treatment. After examining medical reports and asbestos-exposure history, the doctor can announce the preliminary diagnosis. The doctor can also conduct a needle biopsy to finalize the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. For more relevant and latest Mesothelioma Information and diagnosing mesothelioma, check out http://www.mesoblog.org. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the treatment of mesothelioma depends on many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the circulation of the malignant cells, pathology reports determining the nature of the cancer cells and patient's age and health.
Treating Mesothelioma
Following are the mesotheliomatreatmentoptions available to the patients for treating the cancer:
oSurgery oChemotherapy oRadiation or Radiotherapy
oImmunotherapy
oClinical Trails
oComplementary Therapy
*Nutrition
*Fitness and Exercise
*Meditation and Stress Reduction
Treating mesothelioma is not an easy task. It requires immense pain endurance and patience. Nonetheless, with proper treatment and medications, along with the love and support from the family members and friends, mesothelioma can be controlled.
Treating MesotheliomaWe Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Live from New Yo... Tube. Duration : 3.42 Mins.
Treatments for mesothelioma include aggressive surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, all of which depend greatly on how active the patient is. Find treatment options for mesothelioma withinformation from an oncologist in this free video on types of cancer. Expert: Dr. Rolf Freter Bio: Dr. Rolf Freter is a hermatologist and oncologist at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, MA. Filmmaker: Brian T. Sullivan
As with any cancer, treatment for Mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the progression of the disease, the age as well as state of health of the patient.
It is the oncologist who specializes in the disease who will decide on the line of treatment. The disease is difficult to treat and in most cases the prognosis is poor. Treatmentoptions include:
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
1. If the diagnosis is done in the early stages surgery may be recommended to remove all cancerous tissues. This means thoracoscopy, VATS or video assisted thoracic surgery, mediastinoscopy (used for staging), or laproscopy. Often, doctors will advise palliative procedures like chest tube drainage and pleurodesis, thoracoscopy and pleurodesis, pleuroperitonial shunt, or pleurectomy, which treat the symptoms of mesothelioma rather than the disease.
10 Options in Treating Mesothelioma
2. Radiation is prescribed aggressively for mesothelioma patients and is often given in combination with surgery or in order to control symptoms, palliatively. Research on using radiation therapy using implants or UV light therapy is in progress as traditional radiation therapy damages surrounding healthy tissue.
3. Chemotherapy is an option and around 12-20% of patients respond to the drugs. Anti-cancer drugs destroy cancer cells and prevent their spread. In mesothelioma, chemotherapy is not considered to be curative. The aim is to prevent spread of the disease; shrink the tumor prior to surgery, known as neoadjuvant therapy; to annihilate any remains of the tumor in the body post surgery; and to relieve pain and other discomfort, palliative chemotherapy. Experts recommend prescribing premetrexed along with cisplastin. These drugs have shown positive results and this is now standard care for Mesothelioma not treatable by surgery.
4. Biological therapy using interleukin 2.
5. Immunotherapy where the body's own immune system is stimulated to fight the disease. Biological response modifiers, BRMs, are used in treatment. These enhance the functions of the immune system; regulate metabolic reactions that promote growth of cancers; alter cancer cell division; block or reverse processes that lead to formation of cancers; and prevent spread of cancer.
6. Gene therapy, where attempts are made to correct the gene sequence that causes the cancer. This is of two kinds, replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy.
7. Administration of lovastatin, a cholesterol lowering drug.
8. Photodynamic treatment where a photosensitive medication is activated using a laser. This is done during the surgical removal of cancerous tissues.
9. Draining of fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity followed by introduction of medications into the cavity to prevent fluid accumulation is done for patients who have uncontrolled fluid accumulation and intense discomfort stemming from it.
10. Combination therapy or Trimodal therapy which means surgery accompanied by radiation and chemotherapy.
Often, complementary medicines are also used. Termed to be holistic this kind of treatment focuses on a patient's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.
In the case of Mesothelioma which is untreatable one can opt for clinical trials of new treatments that are in progress in several research laboratories and centers. The best advice on the line of treatment would be that recommended by the oncologist or physician.
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Treating mesothelioma usually requires surgery, which can extend the life of the patient, but is not considered curative. Consider the treatment options for mesothelioma, which also includes radiation therapy, with helpful information from a clinical professor in this free video on cancer. Expert: William Hughson Bio: Dr. William Hughson is a resident professor of occupational diseases at the University of California San Diego. Filmmaker: Bing Hu
The treatment usually requires surgery mesothelioma, which can prolong the lives of patients, but not as a remedy. Consider the treatment options for mesothelioma, which may include radiation therapy, with helpful information from a clinical professor in this free video on cancer. Expert: William Hughson Bio: Dr. William Hughson resident professor of occupational diseases at the University of California at San Diego. Filmmaker: Hu Bing